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From: ron@topaz.rutgers.edu (Ron Natalie)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: Terminal Servers & Ethernet Xcvrs
Message-ID: <12962@topaz.rutgers.edu>
Date: Fri, 26-Jun-87 16:47:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: topaz.12962
Posted: Fri Jun 26 16:47:45 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Jun-87 10:37:21 EDT
References: <4746@columbia.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 49

In the Thin transciever range, you've left out the DEC DESTA (probably
rightfully so, the price is a bit higher than the rest).  Note, you can
take any of the transcievers (Interlan, Chipcom, DEC, 3COM) that take the
new AMP plugon cable taps (the kind you need the cute orange wrench to
install) and get inline cable plugons that will work with them.

SERVERS:

BRIDGE:  CS series
  Bridge makes good hardware, but they don't always get the protocols
  right.  There TCP used to be pretty awful though I admit they've gotten
  better lately.  They still don't answer ICMP echos.  Also, you must either
  boot these from floppy disk or have a Bridge server box.

TCL:  Never heard of these.
Micom-Interlan:  No experience

Encore Annex:  These boxes are fairly well received.  I've heard nothing
  but good things about them and their staff has been very helpful in
  providing information.  These boxes have a couple of extra nifty
  features.  First, it does rlogin protocol (I don't really care much
  about tis) and second it has some editing features in the box.  They
  claim that they've drastically sped up GNU EMACS using this.

CISCO ASM32:  These are heavily in use here.  I strongly recommend them.
  They are available with various numberers of lines (muliples of 16)
  up to 80 (actually with their new CPU I think you could get over a
  hundred lines).  They will boot off either ROM's or you can TFTP
  download them.  Configuration is stored in non-volatile memory or
  again you can tftp download them.  Uses domain name server.

A couple you didn't mention:

Computer Machinery Corp:  They have a cute 8 line box that has the
  most innovative packaging I've seen so far.  It looks pretty much
  like a ethernet transciever with 8 RJ-11s on the side for the terminals.
  Haven't actually used one.

Ungerman/Bass NIU 180:  Eight lines only.  Certainly the most flexible one.
  Each port can be configured as in or out, each with it's own internet
  address (if you care to).  Zillions upon zillions of per port options.
  DB-25's on back can be soft switched from DTE to DCE pin outs, command
  options and binding of key sequences to various NVT chars like IP, AYT,
  EL, EC are also possible.  Uses IEN116 name server, promises domains
  in the future.  Small number of bugs still in the system.  Requires
  IBM-PC running proprietary boot server to be on same Ethernet to boot
  the thing.

-Ron